Product description

This book is concerned with a wide range of general principles that govern the behaviour of atoms in solids, and these principles are applied to the full range of types of materials known to man. The dual focus is on the structures of materials at an atomic level and on how the atoms vibrate inside solids. This dual focus comes together to explore how the atomic principles determine the behaviour and properties of materials. Attention is also given to experimental methods. The general principles include the factors that determine the packing of atoms to form the huge variety of structures, the formal description of real and reciprocal space, the types of atomic bonding, the formalism of atomic vibrations, and the theories of phase transitions. The tools covered include diffraction and spectroscopy, both laboratory and large-scale facilities.

Review quote

This book gives a great overview of solid state physics ... very important and useful ... pretty much covers all the 'need-to-know' parts about solid state physics, easy to understand with lots of images and examples which also help to get a better understanding of this subject. A highly recommended book! Michaela Kogler, University of Innsbruck Students read this book, please, and find out some of what is new and exciting in the field, but keep one of the old standards on your shelf to cover the basics. For lecturers, here is a rich source of examples to show that there are crystals other than sodium chloride. Physical Sciences Educational Reviews